Scarduzio's East Passyunk project hits a snag

Michael Klein

Table 31/Mia's/Scarduzio's chef-owner Chris Scarduzio and partners Stephen and Tamar Olitsky have been hot to develop 1646-1648 S. 12th St. - the corner of 12th and Morris Streets - into a bistro.

But the East Passyunk project – which, incidentally, will not be an Italian concept - has hit a snag.

Steve Olitsky says their engineer has found extensive structural issues, leading the partnership to withdrawal their purchase offer to buy and rehab the building. Instead, they have executed an agreement of sale to purchase the site and demolish the building, allowing them to build what they would ideally like.

Olitsky also further explains that there are issues between the landlord and the existing tenant, Artisan Boulanger Patissier. The bakery has stayed put, though co-owner Amanda Chin said they expect to relocate to 1218 Mifflin St. in a month or two.

Photo: via Google maps

About this blog

Michael Klein, the editor/producer of philly.com/Food, writes about the local restaurant scene in his Inquirer column "Table Talk." Have a question? Email it! See his Inquirer work here.